Solar Panels for New Construction?

When’s the right time to work with a solar panel installation company?

If you’re building a new home in Chicago, IL, you may wonder when the best time is to contact a solar panel installation company. After all, don’t you want to start enjoying the benefits of solar before you move in? The fact is, though, that if you want to experience the biggest benefits of the ITC, SRECs, and net-metering, installing solar panels during the construction process might not be the best choice. In this blog, we’ll show you how to get the most out of your system -- and the best time to consider installation. Ready to learn more? Keep reading.

See Also: 3 Common Myths About Solar Energy (and What Not to Believe)

Peak Usage

In a standard household, the property is hooked up to the local power grid and draws electricity from it. The electricity provided by the power plant supplies power to each of your electronic devices. When you want to watch TV, run the AC, or even turn on the lights, the more devices and systems you have running, the more demand you put on the grid.

At certain points during the day, more people are using more energy than at other times. Consider coming home after a long day at the office. You’re using a lot more energy than what you were using before. And so is everyone else in the neighborhood. This is called peak energy usage and when you run your home during these times, it’s said to run on “dirty power.”

Adding Solar Panels

To receive the full benefit of the Illinois state incentive programs, you’ll need to understand how much energy you’re using throughout the day. That, combined with a shading analysis that helps determine how much sun your property gets, will show if it’s possible to save money.

For the appropriate amount of information, we’ll need at least one year of usable data. That means your home must be operational and on-grid for at least a year before we can determine if it’s eligible for the full benefits of the solar credit. 

Work with a Local Installer

There are plenty of options when it comes to solar panel installation. Why not work with a premium installer serving your community?

At Summit, we won’t pressure you into buying a solar panel system that won’t save you money. We’ll design and build a system that will ensure you’re getting the full benefit of your local incentives. 

Want to learn more? Click here or give us a call at 888-884-3557 today!